[PHOTO CREDIT: SAO5.org]
[Original Publish Date: 02/03/21]
OCALA, Florida — Just a few months after taking office as the 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, William “Bill” Gladson has created an Elder Abuse Fatality Review Team, his office announced in a press release Tuesday.
In 2020, a law took effect allowing any state attorney to create such a team; the team will be charged with reviewing closed cases that resulted in the death of an elderly person due to abuse or neglect.
The team, composed of qualified citizens, will “identify potential gaps, deficiencies, or problems in the delivery of services to elderly persons and, whenever possible, will develop community wide approaches to address the causes and contributing factors of these deaths,” the press release states.
Gladson’s office will refer cases to the team and he or a member of his office will serve as a representative on the team, according to the release. The team will provide an annual report to the Department of Elderly Affairs with suggestions on improvements and how to prevent future deaths.
“Having a skilled team of investigators in place to identify the deficiencies, and in some cases, recommend changes to the Florida Legislature, will help protect our most cherished citizens at a time when they are most vulnerable, “Gladson said in the release. “If our efforts save one life, I’ll know it was a worthwhile task.”
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
